New York Law Journal: Realty Law Digest - June 10, 2015

A California Court of Appeal has invalidated San Francisco's Empty Homes Tax, ruling that the Ellis Act—which protects property owners' right to exit the rental market—also shields them from being forced to enter it through vacancy taxation. This landmark decision raises critical questions about the viability of similar residential vacancy taxes that other California municipalities have enacted or are considering as housing policy tools.

Landlords of rent stabilized buildings in New York City have filed a lawsuit challenging the rent freeze passed by the Rent Guidelines Board, questioning the Board's independence and data integrity. With operating costs rising 31% over five years while the Board voted 7-1 for a freeze affecting 1 million apartments, the case raises critical questions about the balance between tenant protection and landlord viability.

The construction claims process is a complicated exercise where superior internal legal knowledge often rules the day and can help you to avoid protracted litigation.

Pryor Cashman's nationally-recognized Real Estate Group represented affiliates of Silverback Development and AEW Capital Management in connection with their acquisition and financing of the residential component of ...

In AIF Dartmouth, LLC v. Hanson, the Massachusetts Appeals Court considered claims arising from two residential summary-process actions.

Effective August 1, 2025, Massachusetts residential landlords and brokers can no longer mandate that residential tenants pay broker fees – rather, the cost must be borne solely by the party...

On December 5, 2024, the New York City Council approved with modifications the NYC Department of City Planning's (DCP) City of Yes for Housing Opportunity...

For more than 50 years, courts have allowed local governments to use the power of eminent domain not just to clear slums or eliminate blight but also to facilitate pure economic development projects. But, in reaction to abuses of eminent domain, during the last eight years state courts from Illinois to Arizona, Oklahoma, and New Jersey have checked local governments by delivering restrictive rulings based on the "public use" requirement of eminent domain.

When it comes to holding real estate, especially investment properties or multiple properties across different states, many owners feel confused about what type of entity they should use.

In the recent case of The Bank of NY Mellon v. Ashley, et al., 119 AFTR 2d 2017-1207 (D.C. Md. 2017)...